MELBOURNE. A-— ITT^ ug 7: A place is , I KJ being kept for LZyJ South Africa in Call next year's cricket World Cup despite an order against the Springboks made by the world governing body organisers said Tuesday, reports AFP.

On the same day that the Australian Cricket Board lifted a 10-year ban on six players who took part in 1980s rebel tours, the World Cup Cricket Committee said South Africa would be welcomed to the tournament if the International Cricket Council approved.

The World Cup Committee, for some time, has been carrying out a study on the possibility of South Africa competing In the World Cup." WCC chair man Malcolm Gray said.

That study has shown that administratively, logistically sand financially it is possible to be part of the World Cup as a ninth team."

The ACB thinks the World Cup would be the appropriate stage for South Africa to come back to international cricket. " said Gray.

He said South Africa had not yet formally applied to the ICC. but World Cup hosts Australia and New Zealand "need a decision fairly quickly and would hope In the next two or three weeks we would know one way or another."

South Africa's 21 -year isolation from International Cricket was ended In July. But It was decided at the London meeting that South Africa should not be allowed to take part in the World Cup.

ICC chairman Colin Cowdrey said at the time no application had been received from South Africa. But he added: "If they did apply. I would have to use my chairman's prerogative and tell

them that the anser is now."

All Bacher. Managing Director of South Africa's new multi racial United Cricket Board (UCB) has expressed hopes that the international body might yet have a change of heart.

ACB chief executive David Richards said the six formerly banned players would be allowed to play at State level tn Australia this year.

A Test ban would have to he reviewed by the ICC. he said Therefore. Richards said, the ACB had decided to lift its ban on Michael Haysman of South Australia. Rod McCurdy^ (Victoria). John Maguirc (Queensiand). Kim Hughes and Glenn Hughes (both of Western

Australia ) and Steve Smith (New South Wales)

They would be allowed to play In the Sheffield Shield between State sides. Richards said

The six were among Australians, who also Included Test players Terry Aiderman and Carl Rackemann. who look part tn rebel tours of South Africa in 1985-86 and 1986-87.

Aiderman and Rackemann were banned from Sheffield Shield cricket for two years and Test cricket for three years. The ACB warned that any players who returned to South Africa after that would be banned for 10 years and the six defied the order.